What the awards are
Every year the Provost of Renfrewshire recognises the unsung heroes within our communities at the Provost's Community Awards.
The winners are chosen for their outstanding commitment to making Renfrewshire a better place to work and live.
Who won the awards in 2026
Winners and their nominators were invited to the Provost's Community Awards Ceremony at the Glynhill Hotel on Friday 20 March 2026.
Arts and Culture Award (sponsored by Renfrewshire Council)
Winner: Paisley & District Royal British Legion Pipe Band
The Paisley & District RBL Pipe Band are based in Paisley Comrades Club.
After a long period of absence, the band was re-founded in 2018 and has continued to go from strength to strength, winning titles at local and national competitions.
The band offer free tuition and instruments to local young people, helping nurture an early interest in traditional piping music.
They regularly perform at local festivals, community gatherings, charity events and civic celebrations without charging a fee, ensuring that high quality live music is available to all corners of the community.
Community Group Award (sponsored by City Gate Construction)
Winner: Roar Connections for Life
Roar support over 1,150 older adults across Renfrewshire, providing a range of opportunities to help older people stay socially connected and physically active.
Activities include strength and balance sessions, walking football, and clubs that help older adults gain skills in using technology and digital devices.
Roar was nominated for the award by one of their volunteer befrienders, who says the service brings friendship, dignity and purpose to their week, as well as to the people they befriend.
Employee of the Year Award (sponsored by UNISON Renfrewshire)
Winner - Robert McEwan
Robert is Operations Manager at Pro-Life Fitness in Paisley.
As well as running the day-to-day business of the gym, Robert has made a huge impact in the wider community through supporting up and coming athletes and making regular donations to local charities, including Accord Hospice, St Vincent's Hospice and Renfrewshire Foodbank - a big achievement considering the gym is a charity itself.
Charities say that the support provided by Robert and Pro-Life helps them to carry out the critical work they do to help those in need.
Community Volunteer Award (sponsored by Glasgow Airport Ltd)
Winner - Ian Glover
In 1981 Ian and his friends started a talking newspaper in Johnstone. 45 years later the Renfrewshire Sound Talking Newspaper is still going, with visually impaired residents across Renfrewshire receiving a USB copy of the talking newspaper every week.
Ian still takes a lead role in managing the service, coordinating a team of volunteers to weekly record headlines and stories from local newspapers and producing the final edit.
The service is free and run on donations and grants which Ian has applied for from many sources to ensure no costs are passed on to service users.
Ian was nominated for this award by his team of volunteers who commend him for his enthusiasm and dedication to Renfrewshire Sound.
Sport Award (sponsored by Acre Industrial Services)
Winner - Milldale Day Opportunities Boccia Team
In 2025, recognising a significant gap in accessible competitive sporting opportunities for adults Milldale Day Opportunities launched Renfrewshire's first inclusive Boccia League in partnership with OneRen and Scottish Disability Sport.
Boccia is a paralympic sport similar to indoor bowls. Using specialised equipment, it allows all with recognised physical and learning disabilities to compete.
The league is open to adults with learning disabilities from across Renfrewshire, with five teams coming together for the first session in November 2025.
Players said they were excited to be taking part in a competition with no ability, age or gender discrimination.
Provost's Award for Outstanding Achievement
Winner - St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation
St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation is the official charity of St Mirren Football Club, aiming to deliver positive change in communities using football, fitness and sport as engagement tools to drive participation in physical and social activity.
The foundation's activities support a huge number of local people, delivering everything from mental health interventions through to breakfast clubs and holiday camps, ensuring disadvantaged children are active and don't go hungry during the holidays.
Through it's connection with the football club, the charity is breaking the stigma around accessing support, as people feel more comfortable in the safe space the club provides.
Who sponsors the awards
The Community Group award is sponsored by City Gate Construction and celebrates the organisations in Renfrewshire that have a positive effect on their communities.
Sponsored by Glasgow Airport, the Community Volunteer award recognises those who give their time and effort for nothing more than the knowledge that they are making a difference to their community.
Perennial award sponsor Acre Industrial will present the Sports Award which recognises individuals or groups who have achieved success in competition as a competitor or a coach, or have used sport as a tool for health and wellbeing.
Employee of the Year is sponsored by UNISON and encourages nominations for employees who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for their employer.
The Arts and Culture award has been created, sponsored by Renfrewshire Council, which seeks out the hidden, or not so hidden, gems who light up Renfrewshire's cultural scene.
The Provost's Award for Outstanding Achievement was created by Provost Lorraine Cameron, to recognise one nomination out of all categories who have gone above and beyond for their community.